Apply for the Seniors Energy Rebate

Introduction

The NSW Seniors Energy Rebate helps eligible self-funded retirees pay their electricity bills.

The Seniors Energy Rebate is $250 per household, per financial year, and you can apply for the rebate each financial year.

Note: The Commonwealth Government has announced that households will receive up to $300 towards their electricity bill in the 2024–25 financial year. Most customers will receive their payments in quarterly instalments. More information will be available soon.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

• be a self-funded retiree living in NSW
• hold a current Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by 
  • Services Australia or
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs
• be the account holder named on the electricity bill
• be applying for the rebate for your main place of residence.

Note: Pensioner Concession Card holders and Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card holders are not eligible for the Seniors Energy Rebate. They may be eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate for on supply customers or retail customers.

What you need

• a MyServiceNSW Account
  • you can create one when you start your application
  • you may need details from 2 identity documents (such as Australian driver licence, Medicare card, passport)
• your current Commonwealth Seniors Health Card with your Customer Reference Number (CRN) or Department of Veterans' Affairs file number on it
• your most recent electricity bill issued on or after 1 July in the current financial year
• your bank account details (to receive your rebate).

Note: The name and address on your application must be the same as on your:
•    Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
•    electricity bill.

Prepare your document before you start your application

Save all pages of your electricity bill ready to upload.

• You can save the bill as one file or save each page of your bill separately.
• If you receive your bill by email, you can save it to your computer.
• If you have a paper copy of your bill, take a photo with your phone, or scan it using your phone, printer or scanner.
• You can then send it to an email account you can access on your computer. If this isn’t possible, ask your energy provider to send you a copy of the bill by email.
• All details should be clearly visible including your name, address and National Metering Identifier.
• If you need help, visit a Service NSW Centre to use a self-serve kiosk to scan the bill. You can also contact your local post office, library or print shop for assistance.

The file must:

• be saved in one of the following formats: JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, TIF.
• be less than 6 MB in size
• not have any spaces or special characters in the file name. 

Troubleshooting

If you have used an Apple device to photograph your document the file may be in HEIC format. To fix this, email the photo to yourself and open it on a laptop or tablet. You can then save it as a JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG or TIF file.

How to apply

1. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Gather the required documents for uploading.
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
4. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
5. Follow the prompts to apply for the rebate.

Note: You cannot save and resume your application once you've started. You’ll need to make sure you have your supporting documents ready for upload.

If you cannot apply online

1. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Gather the required documentation.
3. Visit a service centre and submit your application.

Note: If you're applying on behalf of an eligible person, you'll need to download, print and complete the Letter of Authority for Seniors Energy Rebate – PDF.

If you'd like help with your application, call us on 13 77 88.

What happens next

If your application is successful you'll receive payment into your nominated bank account within 5 working days of approval.

If your application is incomplete or needs further assessment, it may take up to 6 weeks.

Note: Service NSW processes your application and payment, not your electricity supplier. We'll contact you if there are any problems.

More information

• The rebate does not apply to gas accounts.
• If more than one eligible retiree lives at the same address, the household can only receive one Seniors Energy Rebate each financial year.